Work Flexibility Improves Romance and Relationships

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, FlexJobs conducted a survey regarding work/life and personal relationships, with over 1,000 respondents answering questions from their sex life to their overall health and how flexible work arrangements factor in.

The results overwhelmingly showed a desire for work/life balance as the main reason why they want work flexibility (78%), over other more “responsible” factors of time savings (59%), cost savings (52%), stress (46%), commute-related issues (45%), or health reasons (32%).

Surprising benefits of work flexibility were shown in the relationship and romance areas. In addition to 99.5% of respondents saying that having a flexible job would make them a happier person, here are some of the other interesting results:

63% said it would help them be a better friend, with 91% saying that they would have more time for family or friends.

82% said that it would help them be a more attentive spouse/partner/significant other.

47% thought it would increase the dates/date nights in their lives.

49% said that having a flexible job would benefit their romantic relationship, and another 30% weren’t sure but were hopeful.

And finally, 41% said that having a flexible job would improve their sex life, and another 34% were optimistic it would.

Who knew?! We were pretty surprised at how strongly flexible work can positively affect people’s relationships. Anyway, there is more from the survey, so if you’re interested, here is a detailed breakdown of the survey results:

QUICK DEMOGRAPHICS:

16% of respondents were male with 83% female.

59% of respondents were in their 30s or 40s. 12% in their 20s, and 7% 60 or older.

90% are in the US, 3% in Canada and 7% are in another country.

RELATIONSHIP STATUS:

62% of respondents are married, 9% cohabitating, 8% are in a serious relationship or dating. 22% not in a relationship.

47% have children under 18 years old, with another 18% with children over 18. 35% do not have children.

RELATIONSHIPS & ROMANCE

91% feel that having a flexible job would allow them to have more time with friends (and/or family).

95% said that it would have a positive effect on their personal life.

63% said it would help them be a better friend.

82% said that it would help them be a more attentive spouse/partner/significant other.

47% thought it would increase the dates/date nights in their lives.

49% said that having a flexible job would benefit their romantic relationship, and another 30% weren’t sure but were hopeful.

41% said that having a flexible job would improve their sex life, and another 34% were optimistic it would.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE & HEALTH

In terms of work-life balance, 11% said theirs is terrible, 50% say it needs improvement, and 39% said it’s pretty good.

When asked what the anticipated/known benefits of having a flexible job would be for themselves:

65% said they’d exercise more.

89% said that it would allow them to take better care of themselves and be more healthy.

82% said it would decrease their stress level.

99.5% of people said having a flexible job would make them a happier person.

WORK INTERESTS

The most popular type of flexibility people want is telecommuting all of the time (74%), flexible schedule (52%), and telecommuting some of the time (41%). Part-time and freelance were tied for fourth at 39%.